title: Is early surveillance with CT scan necessary in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This analysis aims to evaluate the value of early surveillance within 6 months after resection for stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with stage II/III CRC who received surgery with curative intent for CRC were included. CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis performed within 6 months after surgery were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 150 patients included in the study, 10 patients (1 occurred in stage II disease and 9 occurred in stage III) were diagnosed as recurrence within 6 months after surgery. The proportion of patients diagnosed as recurrence was significantly higher in stage III disease than in stage II disease (P = 0.01). The likelihood of recurrence within 6 months was associated with the extent of lymph node metastases (r = 0.205, P = 0.012). Three patients with recurrent disease underwent salvage resection with curative intent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early surveillance with CT scan within 6 months after curative resection may not be necessary for stage II disease. Although, the strategy may be helpful for stage III disease considering the high incidence of salvage surgery for recurrence disease, the early detection of recurrence could not be translated into survival benefit.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, P. R. China; Departments of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Guo-Chen
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jing-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Shu-Juan
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Hua-Xiang
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Pei-Qiang
authors.initials: PQ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Ling-Heng
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Jun-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Li-Ren
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhi-Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Pei-Rong
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT scan; colorectal cancer; early surveillance